Control room staff named as finalists in national awards

Staff in Avon & Somerset Constabulary's Control Room have been named as finalists in two categories at this year’s APD Control Room Awards.

The control room based at Police HQ in Portishead has been nominated in the Leader of the Year and Special Recognition Award for Bravery and Courage categories.

The APD Control Room Awards were first launched in 2018 to celebrate “the unsung heroes” of critical control rooms and this year received nominations from 60 organisations

Becky Tipper, who manages our Control Room, which last year took 248,829 ‘999’ calls and 744,829 ‘101’ calls, is one of three people shortlisted in the Leader of the Year category, while call handler Megan Brunt is a finalist in the Special Recognition for Bravery and Courage.

Megan was nominated for her brave and courageous response to two separate incidents.

In the first, she helped to save a vulnerable missing teenager who was on a motorway overbridge. She approached the teenager and built up a rapport, keeping her talking until officers and paramedics arrived and took the teenager to a place of safety.

In the second, she came across a suspected drunk-driver close to the motorway and took the car keys off him before alerting the control room. The man was arrested after providing a positive breath test.

Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens, said: “It is fantastic to hear that Megan and Becky have been recognised for their enthusiasm and devotion to their work. The Control Room is one of the best in the country, the dedication and commitment from the team is exemplary and I am so thankful for their support in helping the communities of Avon and Somerset.”

Becky, who is in her 18th year in the Control Room, said: “I work with an amazing team and my nomination is dedicated to each and every one of them.

“I see every day people going above and beyond the call of duty to keep the public safe. I am extremely proud of all their efforts and feel privileged to lead such a committed team.”

APD Managing Director Mike Isherwood said: “It was an emotional experience to read through the entries and a very difficult process to select the shortlists.

“It’s humbling and deeply inspiring to receive hundreds of entries telling the stories of so many selfless individuals who are totally dedicated to serving the public. They represent a snapshot of the thousands of people working in control rooms who make a vital contribution, day after day, to a healthy, functioning society.

“Their amazing work is largely unseen and unrecognised, so we feel privileged to have this opportunity to celebrate so many outstanding individuals and teams and the control rooms community as a whole through these awards.”

For more information about our Control Room you can follow them on Twitter @ASPCallCentre

For extra information about the awards, which will be announced at a ceremony in Nottingham on Thursday 7 March, you can visit this website or follow the awards on Facebook @controlroomawards, on Twitter @CR_Awards or on LinkedIn at Control Room Awards